The Bishop led the prayer of blessing and unveiled the marble plaque engraved for the occasion. Father Bansode smashed a coconut on the ground below the plaque—a sign of good fortune in keeping with the local culture. Fr Silveira inaugurated the new residence while Bishop Ganawa blessed the chapel. It was Bishop Ganawa himself who laid the foundation stone on January 24, 2022. 

The priests and nuns from the Banswara Deanery and the Diocese of Udaipur were present for the occasion. The Bishop presided over the Holy Eucharist, accompanied by the Provincial and the Vicar General. During the homily, the Bishop remarked, “We have been waiting for the presence of the Salesians in our diocese for the past twenty years. We are happy you are here with us to offer the much-needed higher education service in our diocese.”

A felicitation programme was held to appreciate and thank various people who played an essential role in the Salesian presence in Banswara. The dignitaries were honoured with a garland, a pagadi, and a shawl following the custom. Fr Silveira addressed the gathering and thanked every individual who was part of the residence building. He invited the people to pray for the educational projects of the Salesians. He also thanked Bishop Ganawa for inviting the Salesians to the Diocese of Udaipur. 

Between 2018 and 2020, a few Salesians from the Gujarat region and the Provincial Council team made several visits to Banswara to study the feasibility of starting a Salesian presence there. Based on these study visits and discussions with the Diocesan clergy, it was clear that there is a large concentration of Catholics in the Banswara region. While the town boasts good Catholic schools, there is no Catholic college in the entire diocese of Udaipur. Hence, the Provincial Chapter 2019 felt it imperative to establish an institute of higher education there and included it as part of the Province’s six-year plan.

The decision to establish a college in Banswara reflects the commitment of the Salesians of the Province of Bombay to provide quality education to the marginalised in society, especially the tribals. We pray that this new mission that the Salesians are commencing may be a ministry where young people experience God’s care and goodness.